Jourdanton ECC to open

Among those taking in the new sights at the Jourdanton Early Childhood Center are, left to right: Kalli Waclawczyk, Alli Waclawczyk, Lynnon Harlos, Leighton Harlos and Raynie Waclawczyk. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

On Thursday, Aug. 2, staff and administration greeted families at the Jourdanton Early Childhood Center Open House event.

Jourdanton ISD Superintendent Theresa McAllister was pleased with the turn-out.

“It was good to see everyone, especially all the kids that are going to be at that campus– the smiles on their faces. I think it went well. It was also nice to see the kids’ excitement. It just seems like everybody is refreshed with the new facilities and excited about being in them,” McAllister said.

Parents also marvelled at the beautiful facility.

“They were very appreciative of all the work that had been put into it and bought for the facility, thanks to the taxpayers.”

The Jourdanton ECC houses 18 classrooms. McAllister explained it was designed with six prekindergarten rooms, six kinder rooms and six first grade rooms.

“This year we have seven first grade classrooms, but we only have three pre-k, so we had to move them around.”

Also taking part in the Jourdanton ECC Open House are, left to right: ECC staff Leah Morales, Lisa Nixon, Vanessa Yoes and Jourdanton Police Cpl. Sawicki.

There is an administration office and nurse’s clinic.

Laurie Daughtrey is the Elementary Principal (pre- K to fifth grade). There are two Assistant Principals, Bonnie Wright and Kim Camarillo. ECC counselors are Mrs. Korus and Mrs. Hicks.

The new large cafeteria has two lines to serve from and holds about 350 people. It features a small stage with lights and a speaker system. Two, 65 inch TVs in the cafeteria can be used to advertise the menus, meetings, etc. and can also be used for presentations.

“Our theme inside the ECC is the history of Jourdanton and that is what we used for all the tile in the hallway. So we started out with 1909 when Jourdanton was first established. Then we went to 1911 when we started the school. Then 1956 is the year that Jourdanton became the county seat,” McAllister said.

Two huge murals ask students, “What will you grow to be at Jourdanton ISD?” Drawings of a football player, a cheerleader, a basketball player and more, all donning red, inspire the students as they walk down the hallways.

“The playground is in the design of a train, so we carried that theme out into the area as well,” McAllister said.

It does join the older elementary campus, so you can walk straight from the elementary into the cafeteria area, without even going outside.

The first day of school for Jourdanton ISD is Thursday, August 16.

Drop-off/pick-up for the high school, junior high school and the second-fifth grade will all still be the same as last year, mostly entering off of Highway 16 into the campus.

“For the ECC, which will be pre-k, kinder and first, they will enter off of La Parita Road. They will exit off of La Garde. Then if they went to Peach St., they can get to that light,” McAllister said.

Exiting to the right onto La Garde to Peach St. and then to the traffic light is going to be the best flow of traffic, she added.

Parents are advised that drop-off for any grade level can begin at 7:20 a.m. For safety and supervision reasons, it is asked that students not be dropped off before that.

“This is all the final phase of the construction bond project. In high school, we are converting the old Family and Consumer Science classes into an additional computer lab and an additional classroom for the high school. Then at junior high, the old cafeteria is going to be a science lab and a teacher’s lounge,” McAllister said. “We are looking forward to another great year.”

Pack the Backpack

The community is also welcome to take part in the JISD “Pack Some Backpacks” school supply drive for students in need.

Bring any of the supplies listed below to the campus office or central administration office to help them Pack Backpacks. Their goal this year is to Pack 30 Backpacks. If you would rather donate, they will take your monetary donation to purchase the items listed below as well. Items are: